Sustainable Jersey for Schools Announces 115 Certified Schools; First Digital Schools Star Recipients Named  

Sustainable Jersey for Schools announced on Sept. 13 the 115 public schools that achieved certification in 2021. Thirty-two schools received the more challenging silver-level certification with 21 of these schools reaching silver-level certification for the first time.

This cycle marks a milestone for the largest increase in the number of schools certified at the silver-level in an application cycle since the program began in 2015.

A full listing of the 2021 Sustainable Jersey for Schools certified schools can be found here.

Digital Schools Star Recognition  Thirty-seven schools from nine school districts were the first schools in New Jersey to earn Digital Schools Star recognition as part of their Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification.

A Digital Schools Star embraces the implementation of effective digital learning and communication tools, resources and practices – a commitment that is evident in its mission, culture, classrooms and interactions with its stakeholders. Star schools document their successful digital learning strategies in the action areas of leadership, learning practices, technology access, school culture and climate and student learning in order to qualify for star recognition.

“We applaud the New Jersey schools which have achieved certification, both in the sustainability area and in the digital schools program,” said Dr. Lawrence S. Feinsod, NJSBA executive director. “In both cases, boards of education, school administrators, and entire staff have shown real leadership and commitment.”

Sustainable Jersey for Schools, a program for pre-kindergarten through twelfth-grade public schools in New Jersey, is voluntary, but achieving certification takes commitment and collaborative effort.

Each school that is certified at the bronze-level must submit documentation to show it has completed a balanced portfolio of the program’s sustainability actions, attaining a minimum of 150 points. The more advanced silver-level requires a minimum of 350 points of sustainability actions.

To see each school’s complete certification report, visit: Participating Districts and Schools. Currently, 1,025 schools and 373 school districts are participating in the Sustainable Jersey for Schools program overall, and 335 of these schools have unexpired certifications. Once a school is certified, the certification is good for three program years.